The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) has opened the window for candidates who wish to withdraw or exit from the seat allocation process following Round 3 of counselling for admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions for the 2026 academic session.
Candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 and who do not wish to continue with the ongoing counselling can now formally exit the process within the notified window. Those who miss this deadline will remain locked into the subsequent rounds as per JoSAA rules.
What Is the Withdrawal/Exit Window in JoSAA Round 3?
According to the schedule released by JoSAA, the withdrawal process for Round 3 has a defined start and end time. Candidates must act within this period if they intend to give up their allotted seat and step out of further rounds altogether.
It is important for aspirants to understand that “withdrawal” in JoSAA counselling is different from “floating” or “sliding” a seat. Once a candidate opts for withdrawal, their candidature is completely removed from the seat allocation process for all remaining rounds, and any seat freeze or fee already paid is handled as per JoSAA’s refund and cancellation guidelines.
JoSAA Round 3 Withdrawal: Important Dates
| Event | Date | Time |
| Start of withdrawal/exit from seat allocation (Round 3) | Tuesday, July 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM IST |
| Last date to withdraw/exit from seat allocation (Round 3) | Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | By 5:00 PM IST |
Candidates should note that the entire withdrawal window runs from July 7, 2026, 10:00 AM IST to July 8, 2026, 5:00 PM IST, giving aspirants roughly a day and a half to make their final decision.
Why This Deadline Matters for JoSAA Candidates
Every round of JoSAA counselling comes with a fixed set of actions a candidate can choose from such as accepting the allotted seat, floating for a better option in the next round, or withdrawing altogether. Missing the withdrawal deadline for Round 3 means the candidate automatically moves ahead into subsequent rounds based on their existing choice, with limited scope to reverse the decision later.
Education counsellors advise students to carefully evaluate their allotted branch and institute before the window closes, since delayed decisions can affect refund eligibility and further participation in JoSAA counselling.
How to Withdraw From JoSAA Seat Allocation
Although the official process is completed through the candidate’s JoSAA login, aspirants are generally required to:
- Log in to the official JoSAA portal using their credentials.
- Navigate to the seat allocation or choice-filling dashboard.
- Select the withdrawal/exit option for Round 3.
- Confirm the decision before the stated deadline.
Students are strongly advised to complete this step well before the last date and time to avoid last-minute technical glitches on the portal.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- The withdrawal window for JoSAA Round 3 opened on July 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM IST.
- The window closes on July 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST.
- Candidates opting out during this period will be permanently removed from further JoSAA rounds.
- Those who do not act within this window will continue automatically in subsequent allocation rounds.
Aspirants and parents are advised to keep checking the official JoSAA website for the latest updates, as counselling schedules and cut-off timings are subject to revision by the authority.
